Yes, never has a GM or owner discussed rebuilding with their fans. It’s incredible how someone with such vast knowledge of the game as the Insider can’t remember owners and GM’s of the very team he is a fan of having said discussion with their fans. Fairly recently the Rangers did. Countless other teams. Do a google search for gods sake. Oh Insider of vast hockey acumen please continue to let us know how (frank)ing stupid you really are.

With two #1s in next years draft, and the potential of adding another in the upcoming season. It would truly benefit this team to remain in the bottom of the league for at least one season. You can be in every game and just not win. The influx of multiple first selections next year could vault the team to the next level the following season. Make the sux train take a short trip.
- Nfdbulldawg

Next draft is the one to suck the most for. It’s worth sacrificing a season for the long term success of the team. Not sure if the owners or Darche will agree with that sentiment but that’s my opinion with no skin in the game.

I love what Romanov brings to the team. However, from a trade standpoint I would rather trade Romanov than Dobson. If Dobson can become more consistent and the Isles select Schaefer it becomes interesting.

One question I do not think has been asked but in turn assumed is that Schaefer is NHL ready to step in. I am not sure any of this years picks are NHL ready.
- Nfdbulldawg

I worry about Romanov breaking down with his style of play as well. I'm not sure Schaefer will be NHL ready with his games missed due to injury.

Here is another question to think about. It does not appear that Colorado is going to resign Nelson. Do you bring him back on a short-term deal with the potential of flipping him again at the deadline? Keep in mind that his family and friends are here. Lou is no longer in charge. I know it is extremely rare that this happens.

It would take pressure of prospects being rushed into the mix next year and add to your top six.
- Nfdbulldawg

I would not bring back Nelson and I doubt he brings back anything close to Ritchie after his flop with the Avs.

I would not bring back Nelson and I doubt he brings back anything close to Ritchie after his flop with the Avs.
- ses111

I don't understand the Nelson hate. He didn't score in the playoffs, but had 4 assists in 7 games, and we all know how responsible he is in the defensive zone. Also, that he is very streaky. I'm not saying I want the Isles to resign him, but I also read that the Avs coach loved brining him in and he fit their number 2 center spot perfectly. Not sure if this changed in 7 playoff games??

Nfd, where did you hear/read he isn't going staying with the Avs?

I worry about Romanov breaking down with his style of play as well. I'm not sure Schaefer will be NHL ready with his games missed due to injury.
- ses111

It happens. This shouldn’t dissuade us from having said players in our lineup. They are necessary even though there is sometimes an unfortunate byproduct of their game.

I don't understand the Nelson hate. He didn't score in the playoffs, but had 4 assists in 7 games, and we all know how responsible he is in the defensive zone. Also, that he is very streaky. I'm not saying I want the Isles to resign him, but I also read that the Avs coach loved brining him in and he fit their number 2 center spot perfectly. Not sure if this changed in 7 playoff games??

Nfd, where did you hear/read he isn't going staying with the Avs?
- streaks

Big Nelson fan but to me it’s time to move fwd and on from the vets of this team. Nelson is one of them.

I don't understand the Nelson hate. He didn't score in the playoffs, but had 4 assists in 7 games, and we all know how responsible he is in the defensive zone. Also, that he is very streaky. I'm not saying I want the Isles to resign him, but I also read that the Avs coach loved brining him in and he fit their number 2 center spot perfectly. Not sure if this changed in 7 playoff games??

Nfd, where did you hear/read he isn't going staying with the Avs?
- streaks

I think he has no leadership skills and is not clutch and his numbers are soft. Nelson cannot handle the big stage like we saw with the tournament.

It happens. This shouldn’t dissuade us from having said players in our lineup. They are necessary even though there is sometimes an unfortunate byproduct of their game.
- Cptmjl

It's an issue if you need to give Romanov a long-term deal. We already have to deal with Pelech and Pulock regressing. The NHL is more about puck moving dmen now.

It's an issue if you need to give Romanov a long-term deal. We already have to deal with Pelech and Pulock regressing,
- ses111

Romanov is an RFA, not a UFA, so you don't need to give him a long-term deal. The new GM may choose to give him a long-term deal, but it's not like he has to. Romanov is also the best d-man on the team right now, so I sure wouldn't be looking to trade him, unless some team is willing to overpay for him by a lot. Florida has been having success in the playoffs with lots of speed and lots of physical play. I get that physical play takes its toll on players, but, as Cpt said, it's a necessary part of the game.

Romanov is an RFA, not a UFA, so you don't need to give him a long-term deal. The new GM may choose to give him a long-term deal, but it's not like he has to. Romanov is also the best d-man on the team right now, so I sure wouldn't be looking to trade him, unless some team is willing to overpay for him by a lot. Florida has been having success in the playoffs with lots of speed and lots of physical play. I get that physical play takes its toll on players, but, as Cpt said, it's a necessary part of the game.
- JohnScammo

I would not give Romanov away, but he would be one player teams may want in a package to move back into round one to draft Hagens. I'd rather move other players, but it will be difficult.

I would not give Romanov away, but he would be one player teams may want in a package to move back into round one to draft Hagens. I'd rather move other players, but it will be difficult.
- ses111

If possible, I move Mayfield, Pulock or Pelech before Romanov. I do however think the isles have around 12 dmen, and at this point I think you thin the herd which is something they have failed at in the past. Whoever you don’t wanna sign, or have no plans for see ya….even for a late round picks (same with forwards). Acquire all the draft capital you can and use it to add to the puzzle via trade.

For me, I don’t trade Romanov….hes young and plays physical. I am always a fan of a new GM putting his brush to the canvass. If that means getting rid of Pelech, or if Pulock or Mayfield would waive their NTC then see ya. Those are all Snows people who Lou continued to roll out and extend.
They need to bring back DeAngelo, and sign another vet or even two on the backend. They have some dead weight they can use to address scoring. Schaefer might be NHL ready but I wouldn’t throw him in the top pair role.
- kindlyrick

A lot of Isles fans won't want to hear it, re: Schaefer, but he needs to go back to junior even if he's the #1 overall pick. As talented as he may be, he only played 26 games plus a game at the WJC's last year. Not fair to the player or the team to throw him into the fire in the NHL just because he is potentially the first overall selection.

If possible, I move Mayfield, Pulock or Pelech before Romanov. I do however think the isles have around 12 dmen, and at this point I think you thin the herd which is something they have failed at in the past. Whoever you don’t wanna sign, or have no plans for see ya….even for a late round picks (same with forwards). Acquire all the draft capital you can and use it to add to the puzzle via trade.
- kindlyrick

Pelech is the only one of those three with only partial trade protection. Pulock and Mayfield both convert to a 16-team no trade list in July of 2027

A lot of Isles fans won't want to hear it, re: Schaefer, but he needs to go back to junior even if he's the #1 overall pick. As talented as he may be, he only played 26 games plus a game at the WJC's last year. Not fair to the player or the team to throw him into the fire in the NHL just because he is potentially the first overall selection.
- Gabe Athaus

I totally get it, but before his injury at Worlds he was the best player on the ice. That’s high level hockey. I guess watching him at camp will determine if he’s ready to play at the NHL level? 🤷‍♂️

Pelech is the only one of those three with only partial trade protection. Pulock and Mayfield both convert to a 16-team no trade list in July of 2027
- Gabe Athaus

No trade for Mayfield. Just let that sink in.

I totally get it, but before his injury at Worlds he was the best player on the ice. That’s high level hockey. I guess watching him at camp will determine if he’s ready to play at the NHL level? 🤷‍♂️
- kindlyrick

No doubt, I just think it'd be best for all parties to let him go get a full year of juniors and another WJC under his belt before making the jump. He's one of the youngest, if not the youngest, players in the draft. If he were born 10 days later he would have been in the 2026 draft.

There is no reason to shoehorn him into what will likely be a lower tier team next year. It sucks because everyone is going to want to see him play in an Isles jersey, but I think it's the smartest move for the future.

Pelech is the only one of those three with only partial trade protection. Pulock and Mayfield both convert to a 16-team no trade list in July of 2027
- Gabe Athaus

Pretty sure any of them waive any NTC for a sunny, tax friendly state like Florida lol

Pretty sure any of them waive any NTC for a sunny, tax friendly state like Florida lol
- kindlyrick

Too bad those Florida teams are doing just fine.

Pretty sure any of them waive any NTC for a sunny, tax friendly state like Florida lol
- kindlyrick

I wouldn't rule anything out, it's just that a lot of things will have to line up for one/both of those two to be moved.

I wouldn't rule anything out, it's just that a lot of things will have to line up for one/both of those two to be moved.
- Gabe Athaus

Absolutely anything can happen. I’m not a fan of the NTC, and I think it’s a dereliction of duty that Lou gave them out to sub par players. But Mayfield can be bought out and Pelech and Pulock are both cap friendly for cup teams. I’m sure either of them would waive the NTC for a cup, some sunshine and no state tax. Darche has his work cut out…

Too bad those Florida teams are doing just fine.
- ses111

Both have become the leagues elite. I think the common denominator is neither were putting all their eggs on the old school boys club re tred hires. They’re both more progressive and very active. The Matt Tkatchuk for Huberdeau trade was massive

Absolutely anything can happen. I’m not a fan of the NTC, and I think it’s a dereliction of duty that Lou gave them out to sub par players. But Mayfield can be bought out and Pelech and Pulock are both cap friendly for cup teams. I’m sure either of them would waive the NTC for a cup, some sunshine and no state tax. Darche has his work cut out…
- kindlyrick

It definitely can, I just feel like it becomes a lot harder when these guys have been Long Island residents for so long. I'm actually not sure Pulock lives here year-round, but I think Mayfield does. I have to imagine it'd be hard to get a guy to agree to pull his kids out of school and move his family to another state/country. But nothing is impossible.

Mayfield's buyout would pay him $11.667M over 10 years. We'd save $2.33M on the cap until the end of the season in 2030, where it would then cost us $1.66M until 2035. Palatable with the cap continuing to skyrocket upwards, but still not ideal.

Both have become the leagues elite. I think the common denominator is neither were putting all their eggs on the old school boys club re tred hires. They’re both more progressive and very active. The Matt Tkatchuk for Huberdeau trade was massive
- kindlyrick

Yep! They never let the roster get stale and they do not sign bottom pair players to lousy contracts. It's no accident why the Islanders have struggled for many years. Lousy decisions by ownership and management.

It definitely can, I just feel like it becomes a lot harder when these guys have been Long Island residents for so long. I'm actually not sure Pulock lives here year-round, but I think Mayfield does. I have to imagine it'd be hard to get a guy to agree to pull his kids out of school and move his family to another state/country. But nothing is impossible.

Mayfield's buyout would pay him $11.667M over 10 years. We'd save $2.33M on the cap until the end of the season in 2030, where it would then cost us $1.66M until 2035. Palatable with the cap continuing to skyrocket upwards, but still not ideal.
- Gabe Athaus

Not ideal but palatable. I guess that’s a thing for every new GM in order to get rid of the previous administrations flub ups. Lou had to give up assets for the coyotes to take Andrew Badd.